[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 156 (Monday, October 26, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S10732]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING WORLD WAR II VETERANS

 Mr. LUGAR. Madam President, today I wish to pay tribute to the 
American men and women who served their country valiantly during World 
War II, and to a nonprofit organization known as HonorFlight which 
flies surviving veterans, at no expense to themselves, to Washington, 
DC, to visit the World War II Memorial. I wish to have printed in the 
Record a letter from Scott C. Stump, a veteran of the U.S. Marine 
Corps, describing the efforts of HonorFlight which will enable two 
Hoosier veterans, Harvey H. Hammerlund and Joseph B. Smrt, to visit the 
World War II Memorial this fall.
  The letter follows:

       Dear Senator Lugar: During World War II, 16 million 
     American men and women selflessly, and unflinchingly served 
     our country and defended our way of life for future 
     generations. Now, more than 64 years since the end of that 
     Great War, only three million of our World War II Veterans 
     walk among us. Even more alarming, we are losing these 
     veterans at the rate of 1,000 per day, which is causing their 
     ranks to dwindle at an alarming rate. Now more than ever, we 
     need to take pause and recognize these veterans and their 
     contributions to making our great country what she is today. 
     Part of that recognition, the National World War II Monument 
     in Washington, DC, was completed and opened to World War II 
     Veterans and the public on 29 April 2004.
       Since its opening, the monument has been like a shining 
     star, beckoning to our World Wax II Veterans. In fact, many 
     of those veterans have had a dream of visiting this monument 
     erected to the remembrance of ``The Greatest Generation.'' 
     Unfortunately, due to health, monetary, and other 
     constraints, many World War II Veterans have been unable to 
     visit ``their'' Memorial.
       In 2005 that all began to change when a non-profit 
     organization known as ``HonorFlight'' was born. Several 
     dedicated individuals had a vision to fly any and all of our 
     World War II Veterans to Washington, to see ``their'' 
     Memorial, at absolutely no cost to the veterans. This 
     wonderful, all volunteer force, began flying in 2005 and flew 
     a total of 137 Veterans to see the Memorial that first year. 
     Now, a brief four years later, there will be a total of over 
     42,000 veterans who have been able to fulfill their dreams 
     and wishes of being able to visit Washington, DC and, most 
     importantly, the World War II Memorial.
       I would like to publicly thank HonorFlight and their 
     network of dedicated volunteers for all of their efforts in 
     making dreams come true. I am truly humbled to be a small 
     part of such a great organization.
       On this date, I would also like to recognize two very 
     special World War II Veterans who are about to embark on a 
     very special journey to Washington, DC. These two Hoosiers, 
     both from the fertile farmlands of Starke County, answered 
     their call to serve their country long ago, and in so doing 
     served with honor, dignity, and courage.
       Harvey H. Hammerlund was born on 21 December 1924 in rural 
     Knox, Indiana. Harvey was a farm boy who enlisted in The 
     United States Navy on 4 January 1944. Harvey served on The 
     U.S.S. Urben 631 as an electrician. Harvey spent the 
     remainder of the war traversing the hostile enemy-laden South 
     Pacific. Mr. Hammerlund was discharged on 23 March 1946 at 
     the rank of 3rd Class Petty Officer. Harvey returned home and 
     was a farmer for the remainder of his working years. Harvey 
     was and is a leader in Starke County serving on various 
     boards and committees, as well as being active with V.F.W. 
     Post 748 in Knox. Harvey resides on his farm outside of Knox 
     with Dee, his wife of 59 years.
       Joseph B. Smrt was born on 14 February 1916 in North 
     Judson, Indiana. Joe enlisted in The United States Army on 11 
     December 1942. Joe served in Patton's Third Army in the 94th 
     Division Company B 19th Engineers. Joe proudly served all 
     over Central Europe, including the epic ``Battle of the 
     Bulge'' in Belgium. Mr. Smrt was discharged on 27 December 
     1945 but continued serving in The U.S. Army Reserves for the 
     next 33 years, retiring as a Sergeant First Class. Joe worked 
     and continues to work as a Surveyor as his profession and 
     continues to be a pillar of the Starke County Community. Joe 
     still lives in Knox with Ursula, his wife of 58 years.
       Thank you, Senator Lugar, for recognizing a great 
     organization and two outstanding individuals. These two men 
     have truly played a part in shaping the America that we know 
     and love today.
           Sincerely,
     Scott C. Stump. 

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